,,,,, Pays 100% in August; Association Commends,Celebrates Supreme Court Victory.
By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The Ododo government has ended a 15-year practice of percentage salary payments to local government workers in kogi state and commenced 100 per cent of salaries for them from August.
Some members of Ebira Avaibe Association of Gadumo Quarters, Lokoja, Kogi State, disclosed this when they held a special prayer session on Sunday to celebrate Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s Supreme Court victory and acknowledge his administration’s achievements so far.
The meeting, which was covered by our correspondent, featured prayers from both Islamic and Christian members, who expressed gratitude for the governor’s success and thanked Almighty God for answering their prayer for the governor’s final victory at the apex court.
The association urged Ododo to demonstrate magnanimity in victory and called on Muri Ajaka to show spirit of good sportsmanship to ensure effective governance and maximize the benefits of democracy for the people.
Hon. Musa Akaba, Chairman of the association, praised the Supreme Court’s ruling and commended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of,for her contributions to ensuring good governance.
He commended Governor Ododo for appointing two members of the association as special assistants for local government and urged government for more members into political appointment.
The meeting also included light entertainment to celebrate the Supreme Court decision.
A member of the association, speaking on the condition of anonymity with our correspondent on the sidelines of the meeting, expressed relief over the resumption of full salary payments to local government staff.
According to him, this development, enabled by the implementation of local government autonomy under the Ododo administration, has significantly eased the 15 years of financial burden on council workers and their families.
He noted with delight, “This change has spared workers from the severe financial distress that led to frequent borrowing and sorrowing and, in some cases, death due to the inability to afford medical care, not to mention basic needs for daily living.”
Meanwhile, Comrade Sanusi Mohammed, President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Kogi State, confirmed the full salary payments to council workers and applauded Governor Ododo for this achievement.
He noted that the feat is a significant milestone after fifteen years, recalling that the last time workers received full salaries was under former Governor Ibrahim Idris.
Comrade Sanusi described the full salary payments, coinciding with Ododo’s Supreme Court victory, as a double victory for local government workers.
He congratulated the governor over his victory and assured him of the NULGE’s continued support,urging members to remain resolute and supportive of the present administration in the state.
